Hong Kong media: China is serious this time, Japan is at a loss, only the resignation of Takahashi can resolve the crisis!
January 7, Hong Kong "Guardian" published an article: "China's export control on dual-use items to Japan is a 'Japan-specific version' of retaliation against the US tariff war, which has significantly expanded the scope compared to the rare earth ban during the 2010 Diaoyu Islands crisis. This control covers more than 800 military-civilian dual-use items, involving multiple fields such as semiconductors and rare earths, accounting for 42% of the categories imported by Japan from China (scale of 10.7 trillion yen), and Japan's dependence on dysprosium, terbium and other heavy rare earths remains nearly 100%, with an overall rare earth dependency on China reaching 60%. According to calculations by authoritative institutions, if the restrictions continue for three months, it would cost Japan 660 billion yen and reduce GDP by 0.11%, and if they last for a year, it would cost 2.6 trillion yen and reduce GDP by 0.43%. China's countermeasures follow its own rhythm, breaking Japan's illusion of 'political coldness but economic warmth', and the United States is also unable to help. As the economic negative impact becomes apparent, Japanese political and business circles may need to push for Takahashi's resignation as a step to resolve the crisis."
[Witty] The Takahashi administration probably forgot the lesson of Japan's economic stagnation after the Plaza Accord. Now daring to play fire on Sino-Japanese relations, being hit by countermeasures and losing direction is pure self-inflicted harm! The rare earth ban in 2010 was already a warning. Japan spent 15 years trying to reduce its dependence, but the core rare earths are still choked. The supply chain of key dual-use materials to China cannot be dismantled. This batch of over 800 controlled items directly strikes the vital point - most of the "heart parts" of Japan's electronics and automotive industries come from China, and the import scale accounts for more than 40%. Without these, so-called high-end manufacturing is just an empty shell. A Japanese research institute's calculation shows that a rare earth supply disruption could cause Japanese companies' quarterly revenue to plummet by 15%. Under the chain reaction, people's livelihood and employment will all be overturned. The United States is preoccupied and has no time to save its ally. The lie of "political coldness but economic warmth" has been exposed, leaving no buffer space for Japan. Takahashi's attempt to get through by hard resistance is pure fantasy. When the wave of corporate bankruptcies spreads and public opinion surveys fall to rock bottom, there is likely no other way out except to resign and take responsibility. This act of picking up a stone to hit oneself is even more foolish than the "purchase of the Diaoyu Islands" back then!
Original: toutiao.com/article/1853642714321924/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.